Wales produced the headline result of the opening weekend of the RBS Under 20 Six Nations after avenging last season’s heavy loss to England with a 21-15 victory over the Junior World Championship 2014 winners in Colwyn Bay on Saturday.

Two tries, from hooker Liam Belcher and flanker Tom Phillips, along with 11 points from the boot of Dan Jones earned Wales their first championship win against England in eight attempts and helped restore national pride following last year’s humbling 67-7 defeat at Kingston Park.

England’s cause was not helped by the loss of prop Paul Hill and second row Kieran Treadwell to the sin-bin for persistent infringing towards the end of the third quarter.

“We didn’t manage the game as best we can and that’s what cost us. Full credit to Wales though, they took their chances and deserved the win,” said England captain Charlie Ewels.

Wales coaching co-ordinator Allan Lewis was understandably delighted with the historic win against a side they will face again at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy in June.

“This is a huge achievement for the players. Despite the technical and tactical awareness shown by the boys, it was sheer character that ensured they held on to win the match.

"We knew England would be a huge challenge as world champions and we had to take our game to them - we wouldn't win the game simply by defending.

"It's always a huge boost when you beat England and we will enjoy the win before reviewing the game and looking ahead at Scotland on Friday."

France dominant

Defending champions France sit top of the embryonic table on points difference from Ireland and Wales after a convincing 47-6 win at home to Scotland.

Tries from Thomas Ramos, Sékou Macalou, Lucas Blanc and Arthur Bonneval put the hosts well in control before half-time, the visitors' only replies coming from George Horne's boot.

Michaël Simutoga, Martin Devergie and François Fontaine then crossed in the second half against a tiring Scotland to complete a convincing victory that was fully appreciated by the 12,000-strong crowd inside the Jean Laville Stadium in Gueugnon.

“The physicality was what really got to us, as we tired defending wave after wave of attack – we only had 31 per cent of possession and ultimately there’s not much you can do with that,” said Scotland coach Sean Lineen. “Now we just have to look at where we are and focus on the game against Wales next week.”

Seven up for Ireland

Ireland matched France’s 47-point tally in an equally convincing win away to Italy, who posted 15 points in reply.

The game in a snowy Biella followed a similar pattern to the one in France, with Italy putting up brave resistance in the early stages before being swept aside by the superior Irish.

Seven different players–Josh Murphy, Greg O'Shea, Rory Moloney, Zack McCall, Billy Dardis, captain Nick McCarthy and Cian Romaine –got their names on the scoresheet for the visitors, fly-half Ross Byrne adding the extras to six of the tries.

Both of Italy’s tries came in the first half, from flanker Dennis Bergamin and winger Luca Sperandio, who got on the end of a flowing move to score a brilliant try just past the half-hour mark.